Billie Ashford

Billie Ashford
Home and Away character
Portrayed by Tessa de Josselin
Duration 2015–
First appearance 27 April 2015
Introduced by Lucy Addario
Classification Present; regular
Profile
Occupation Personal trainer
Home The Farmhouse

Belinda "Billie" Ashford is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Tessa de Josselin. The actress was first pictured on set in November 2014, before it was announced the following year that she had joined the cast as the younger sister of established character Martin Ashford (George Mason). De Josselin shot her first scenes in a cemetery on the Central Coast. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 27 April 2015.

Billie is portrayed as a feisty, upfront, "tomboy surfer". De Josselin stated that she did share some similarities with her character, such as their active lifestyles, but she did not have Billie's abrasive personality. The actress also thought Billie often made herself out to be tougher than she was. Bille's introductory storylines focused on her reunion with her brother Ash and a brief casual relationship with Kyle Braxton (Nic Westaway). Later storylines saw Billie develop an infatuation with Nate Cooper (Kyle Pryor) after he saved her life. She became jealous of his relationship with Kat Chapman (Pia Miller) and tried to ruin her career. As the storyline progressed, Billie accused Nate of trying to assault her, leading to his arrest. The storyline was criticised by Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer of The F-Word, who thought it could potentially reinforce harmful stereotypes about victims of sexual violence.

Billie was then accused of burning down Leah Patterson-Baker's (Ada Nicodemou) house, despite helping to save three of its occupants and sustaining serious burns. After Ash refused to stand by her, Billie developed depression. In early 2016, Billie rescued Oscar MacGuire (Jake Speer), who had washed up on a beach, and returned to Summer Bay for her court appearance. De Josselin explained that Billie was resigned to to going to prison and believed her past actions could be used against her. The real arsonist, Hunter King (Scott Lee), eventually came forward. Billie's early storylines have led her to be called "unhinged", "troublesome" and "the Bay's bad girl" by critics. De Josselin and Ali Cromarty of TV Week thought the trial would be a turning point for the character.

Casting

On 14 November 2014, Sarah Sayers of the Daily Mail Australia reported Tessa de Josselin had joined the cast of Home and Away in an unknown role.[1] Sayers speculated de Josselin's character could be a love interest for Martin "Ash" Ashford, played by George Mason, after the two actors were photographed filming scenes together.[1] On 19 April 2015, it was announced that de Josselin would be portraying Billie, Ash's younger sister.[2] Of joining the cast, she stated "I was super chuffed. No doubt there was a huge grin on my face for the rest of the week. It's a cool thing when hard work pays off and you know you've been given an opportunity to do what you love."[3] De Josselin shot her first scenes in a cemetery on the Central Coast, alongside Mason, who she met for the first time that morning.[4] De Josselin made her debut as Billie during the episode broadcast on 27 April 2015.[3]

Development

Characterisation

Billie is the younger sister of Martin Ashford (George Mason), who was introduced in late 2014.[5] Billie is a feisty, "tomboy surfer", who endured a troubled childhood.[3] De Josselin said Billie was fun to play and added "Billie's super upfront and sometimes lacks a social filter."[3] De Josselin told Stephen Downie of TV Week that she shared some similarities with Billie, such as being "very active", but did not think she was as abrasive and as closed off as Billie.[4] De Josselin added, "I think she puts on a front – her kind of tough-girl thing – but I think that's hiding a lot of stuff on the inside."[4] The actress was grateful to the writers for writing in her passion for surfing and joked that she always wanted more surfing scenes in the scripts.[6]

Introduction

After he was released from prison, Ash began a search to find his sister. Mason commented, "Billie is the only family Ash has left, and he feels they need to make amends now he's out of jail."[5] The siblings were finally reunited on Anzac Day when they both visited their brother Luke's grave.[7] Billie ran away from Ash and tried to leave in her car, but he stood in the way and asked her not to go. She eventually agreed to stay and they returned to Luke's grave, where they talked about their past.[7] Ash then convinced Billie to return to Summer Bay with him, so he could show her around. He introduced her to Ricky Sharpe (Bonnie Sveen), who invited them both to lunch.[8] While they were talking about the events that led to Ash's prison sentence, he admitted to Billie that her boyfriend Dean Sanderson (Kevin Kiernan-Molloy) was dead.[7] Billie was "horrified" and initially believed Ash was responsible, until he explained that his friend Darryl Braxton (Steve Peacocke) had been charged with Dean's murder.[7]

When Ash offered to let Billie stay in his caravan, she turned him down and decided to stay at the Braxton house instead. De Josselin commented that Billie was "excited" about meeting new people and finally having a roof over her head, as she had been living out of her car for the past few months.[9] Unaware that Billie was in the other room, Kyle Braxton (Nic Westaway) came home and started playing his guitar, waking her up. Billie introduced herself to Kyle and explained that Ricky had allowed her to stay at the house.[9] Kyle apologised for waking her and Billie began flirting with him, before leaning over to kiss him.[9] De Josselin told Stephen Downie of TV Week, "I think Billie can sense Kyle's a sensitive, caring guy. She can also sense he's going through something."[9] Despite going through a recent break-up, Kyle responded to the kiss and he and Billie had a one-night stand.[9] Kyle felt guilty the following morning and made it clear to Billie that their night together was a mistake.[10] When Kyle's ex-girlfriend, Phoebe Nicholson (Isabella Giovinazzo) came over to reconcile with him, she overheard Kyle asking Billie to keep their one-night stand a secret.[10]

Assault allegation

Billie's first major storyline occurred in June 2015 when she developed a crush on Nate Cooper (Kyle Pryor) and later accused him of assault.[11] The storyline began when Nate and his girlfriend Kat Chapman (Pia Miller) spotted Billie floating face down in the sea.[12] Nate ran into the surf to get Billie and carried her to the beach, where he administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to get her breathing again. As Billie came round, Nate assured her she would be okay.[12] As Billie looked at Nate "adoringly", Stephen Downie of TV Week noted that she was developing a crush on the doctor.[12] Billie's crush on Nate intensified and she began trying to break up his relationship with Kat.[13] Nate rejected Billie's advances and made it clear to her that he was not interested in her romantically, which she seemed to accept.[14] Billie later approached Nate when she found herself alone with him in the gym and thanked him for being a gentleman, unnerving Nate.[14] Billie's demeanour suddenly changed and she ran her nails down his cheek, scratching his face, and tore at her clothes, while screaming for him to stop.[14] Her screams attracted the attention of Chris Harrington (Johnny Ruffo), who rushed into the gym and comforted Billie, as she accused Nate of assaulting her.[14] Nate was questioned by Sergeant Mike Emerson (Cameron Stewart) at the police station, where he protested his innocence. However, Emerson then produced proof of a sexually explicit text sent from Nate's phone to Billie the previous week.[13]

Nate was arrested for the attempted sexual assault of Billie. Kat immediately began trying to prove that Nate was innocent, but had difficulty as Billie "put on a confident performance" for the police, while Chris also backed up her story.[14] However, Nate and Kat came to Chris to plead Nate's innocence and then asked him to help catch Billie out. Chris agreed to help them after finding evidence that Billie was behind an embarrassing poster that threatened to ruin Kat's career.[15] Chris invited Billie over to his house and then tried to get her to confess to setting Nate up. He told her that he knew she was lying, but he wanted to see Nate punished and suggested they work together.[15] Billie soon spotted that Chris's phone was recording the conversation and she switched it off, while claiming that she had not fallen for his plan.[15] However, when she also admitted to framing Nate, Chris revealed that he was actually wearing a police wire and Billie was arrested by Emerson.[15] De Josselin found the storyline challenging to portray, saying "it's not something I would ever do. So, there's a challenge with breaking it down and thinking from the perspective of your character."[16]

Arson accusation and depression

Billie helped save Kat Chapman, played by Pia Miller (pictured), from falling off a cliff edge, shortly after Kat had arrested her for arson.

When Billie noticed Leah Patterson-Baker's (Ada Nicodemou) house was on fire, she ran into the building to help Zac MacGuire (Charlie Clausen) rescue Oscar MacGuire (Jake Speer) and Matt Page (Alec Snow).[17] She helped Zac kick down a bedroom door, allowing Oscar and Matt to escape. As the men rushed to get out of the house, they inadvertently left Billie behind.[17] She became trapped by falling ceiling debris and was seriously injured.[18] While Billie was recovering at the hospital, Kat arrested her for arson. Ash refused to believe that she was innocent, following her false assault allegation against Nate, and walked away from her.[19] When Billie began to feel that no one cared about her, she "fell into a dark depression", leaving Nate concerned about her state of mind.[20] Nate urged Ash to visit her in the hospital. Ash realised that Billie would not be able to cope with losing another sibling, so he tried to "clear the air" between them.[20]

However, when Ash voiced his doubts about Billie's innocence, she grew angry and disowned him.[20] Billie then decided to get revenge by writing a letter to Ricky telling her that Brax had faked his death and that Ash had lied to her about it.[20] When Billie discharged herself from the hospital, Nate told Kat that he was worried about her mental and physical health, as her burns needed constant treatment.[20] Kat was also aware that Billie was close to breaching her bail conditions and she and Ash began a search. After failing to find her, they called off the search for the night, leaving Ash feeling guilty.[20] The following day, Kat found Billie on top of the headland.[21] De Josselin told an Inside Soap journalist that Billie felt that she had lost her brother and that the whole town was against her, so she had no reason to stay in Summer Bay.[21]

Kat was worried that Billie might jump due to her unstable behaviour, so she tried to talk her into stepping away from the edge.[21] However, it appeared Billie had not heard her as she continued to stare at the sea. When a message came through on Kat's police radio, it startled Billie and in her panic at seeing Kat, she moved closer to the edge of the cliff.[21] De Josselin commented, "When Billie hears Kat's radio, she snaps straight back to reality. She immediately thinks that Kat is there to arrest her for setting fire to Leah's house."[21] Kat was worried that Billie might fall and reached out to grab her in an attempt to save her. Billie stepped to the side at the last minute, causing Kat to go over the edge. She managed to grab hold of a ledge and called for Billie to help her.[21] Billie managed to save Kat by pulling her back over. At the hospital, Billie reiterated that she did not start the fire, before she was transferred to a hospital in the city.[22]

Return and trial

Months later Billie found an unconscious Oscar MacGuire (Jake Speer) washed up on a beach. She dragged him to a nearby shack, shook him awake and gave him fresh water.[23] As he came round, Oscar was surprised to see Billie was his rescuer and immediately accused her of trying to burn Leah's house down with him inside.[23] Bille maintained her innocence and explained to Oscar that she had been living rough since leaving town a few months prior. She then called the police to tell them where Oscar was.[23] He wondered if she would return to the Bay with him to see Ash, but she quickly left. Despite Billie not wanting to be found, Oscar told them that she had rescued him.[23] Billie was eventually persuaded to return to Summer Bay ahead of her trial for arson.[24] Ash now believed his sister was innocent and was against her lawyer's suggestion that she should plead guilty to gain a lesser sentence.[24] He was also worried about her future, and when Phoebe told Billie his fears, she decided that the only option she had was to skip town. Phoebe managed to talk her round, but the following morning, they realised Billie had tried to flee and stopped her.[24]

Speaking to Ali Cromarty of TV Week, de Josselin explained that Billie knew she had been set up, but she was "at a loss" because she did not know who really started the fire.[6] As she entered the courtroom, Billie was nervous and apprehensive. She knew she was innocent, but she was not sure the judge would feel the same way. She also thought her reputation and past could be used against her.[6] De Josselin said, "she feels there are so many things that have happened in the past, so why would anyone believe her? She's feeling disheartened."[6] The actress added that Billie was "resigned" to going to prison, especially after Leah gave her testimony.[25] Billie's fate rested on whether the real arsonist, Hunter King (Scott Lee), would stand up and confess. Already struggling with his guilt, Hunter was put under more pressure when Andy Barrett (Tai Hara) admitted he knew Hunter had started the fire.[25] Cromarty pointed out that if Billie was found innocent, it could be the chance she needed to change her ways.[6] De Josselin agreed, stating "all Billie wants is to feel a part of the Summer Bay family. She's upset she's been falsely accused. It could be a turning point – if she can get over it."[6] Hunter eventually admitted to starting the fire, clearing Billie's name.[26]

Reception

While recapping Billie's first episode, a writer for the TV Week website commented "at first, Billie wanted nothing to do with Ash – what a great relationship these two have."[8] During the Nate storyline, a contributor to the Sunday Mail noted "Billie has taken to following Nate around a lovelorn puppy".[27] A colleague stated, "Ash's sister Billie has caused the usual tornado that extended family members tend to do in the Bay when they arrive. She has been following Nate around like an obsessed teenager, much to cop Kat's annoyance."[28] TV Week's Stephen Downie thought Billie was "slightly unhinged".[13] Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer, writing for the feminist blog The F-Word, expressed her disappointment about the false assault allegation storyline, saying it was not "that original – or entertaining".[29] Walling-Wefelmeyer thought the writers' had introduced the trope with the intention of having it "challenged and subverted", instead she believed the plot could "reinforce harmful stereotypes" about victims of sexual violence.[29]

A Birmingham Mail reporter later observed, "Billie's life in Summer Bay hasn't been a happy one so far – although she mostly only has herself to blame for that. Lying about being attacked, she has become a social pariah – but finds a way to redeem herself this week when she rescues Zac, Oscar and Matt from a fire at Leah's house."[30] After the fire, a Liverpool Echo journalist commented "Billie isn't the most popular person around".[31] Digital Spy's Sophie Dainty dubbed her "troublesome",[32] while Laura Morgan of All About Soap thought she was "unhinged" and "venomous".[20] Stephen Downie of TV Week called her "the Bay's bad girl" and quipped "when Billie arrived in the Bay last year, she brought a whirlwind of trouble."[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Sayers, Sarah (14 November 2014). "Beach babe alert! Home and Away newcomer Tessa De Josselin sizzles on set in Summer Bay in a pineapple print bikini". Daily Mail Australia. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "Home and Away newcomer Tessa De Josselin feels comfortable in Summer Bay". The Daily Telegraph. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Kilkelly, Daniel (21 April 2015). "Home and Away: Meet Ash's younger sister Billie". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Downie, Stephen (16–22 May 2015). "Surfer girl". TV Week (20): 108–109.
  5. 1 2 Ellis, Sarah (7–13 February 2015). "Brax & Ash's outback adventure". Inside Soap (5): 18–19.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Downie, Stephen (6–12 February 2016). "Courting disaster". TV Week (6): 18–19.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Dainty, Sophie (13 June 2015). "Soap spoilers: Heartbreak for Paige in Neighbours and a new arrival for Home and Away". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Recap: Home and Away (Monday, April 27)". TV Week. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Downie, Stephen (2–8 May 2015). "Sweet music". TV Week (18): 11.
  10. 1 2 Kilkelly, Daniel (20 June 2015). "Soap spoilers: Neighbours newcomer arrives and Kyle and Billie get passionate in Home and Away". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  11. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (29 June 2015). "Home and Away: Billie Ashford to accuse Nate Cooper of sexual assault". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 Downie, Stephen (13–19 June 2015). "Love triangle". TV Week (24): 10–11.
  13. 1 2 3 Downie, Stephen (27 June – 3 July 2015). "Assault shock!". TV Week (26): 12–13.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nate arrested!". Inside Soap (33): 32. 22–28 August 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Billie busted!". Inside Soap (34): 28. 29 August – 4 September 2015.
  16. ↑ "Tessa de Josselin's star status on the rise". TV Week. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  17. 1 2 "Summer Bay fire horror!". Inside Soap (35): 26. 5–11 September 2016.
  18. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (29 August 2015). "Leah's house fire is confirmed as arson". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  19. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (29 August 2015). "Accusations fly around after the fire". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Morgan, Laura (12–25 September 2015). "Cliffhanger!". All About Soap (357): 23.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kat's cliff plunge!". Inside Soap (36): 26. 12–18 September 2015.
  22. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (5 September 2015). "Billie tries to rescue Kat". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "Oscar is alive!". Inside Soap (9): 29. 5–11 March 2016.
  24. 1 2 3 "Will Billie do a runner?". Inside Soap (11): 30. 19–25 March 2016.
  25. 1 2 "Billie in court!". Inside Soap (12): 28. 26 March – 1 April 2016.
  26. ↑ "Guilty! Hunter confesses to arson in Home and Away". What's on TV. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  27. ↑ "Jason is in the fight of his life; After standing up to Callum he's found severely beaten.". Sunday Mail. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  28. ↑ "Pete spills his deadly secret; But Ross's body is nowhere to be found...". Sunday Mail. 23 August 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  29. 1 2 Walling-Wefelmeyer, Rosa (4 September 2015). "The false rape/assault accusation trope – a bit fishy and definitely not funny". The F-Word. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  30. ↑ "Home & Away – Five". Birmingham Mail. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  31. ↑ "Lauren and Jane Get the Max Factor". Liverpool Echo. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2016.(subscription required)
  32. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (13 July 2015). "Home and Away spoilers: Billie Ashford to reveal the truth about Brax's fate". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, May 06, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.